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aircat impacts any good?

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diesel research

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Does good mean powerful? Comfortable? Easy to use? Reliable? Rugged?

What mixture or compromises do you allow to be considered "good"?

Some may judge raw power, others may want a certain weight, others may expect to drop them on a regular basis, others expect maintenance-free operation. 100 different definitions of good.

For example, composite offers an advantage in comfort, but may not be as rugged.
 

speed bump

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I like mine so far I haven't found any bolts I couldn't remove with it yet including doing a front axle swap on my 71 F-250.
 

diesel research

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Do you care about quietness? Or are you located far enough away from complaining neighbors and own ear muffs?

Do you care about cold handles?
Do you mind regularly maintaining the unit?
Do you have enough DRY air to run it?
Do you plan to use torque sticks?
Is weight important?
Do you fight a lot of rusty/large fasteners?

Lotta defining factors when it comes to "good".

I could say my IR 285B-S6 is great, but my definition may be different than others. I have used a model of air cat and even did a half-*** review on it, but it might not be the correct model, and some aspects of testing were never performed.
 

dirtrider

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I think the OP was asking for your guy's personal opinion of the gun, not your opinion based off of a few variables you want him to choose from.
With that said I would say yes many people like there Aircat's and find them to be quality tools for the most part, most reviews I have seen are comparing them to Ingersoll Rand if that tells you anything.
 

diesel research

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I think the OP was asking for your guy's personal opinion of the gun, not your opinion based off of a few variables you want him to choose from.
With that said I would say yes many people like there Aircat's and find them to be quality tools for the most part, most reviews I have seen are comparing them to Ingersoll Rand if that tells you anything.

It really wouldn't be fair, as discussed many many many other times. Are they powerful? Depends on the model vs use. Are they "reliable"? Also subjective.

They are relatively light, more difficult to have serviced, and quiet. While I value stuff like light and quiet, a few members complained because they aren't all metal. Some complain about the control layout. Depending on the model (nitrocat specifically) they aren't recommended for professional use involving torque sticks.

Like I said, "good" has many different meanings. This is coming from an actual user (myself)
 
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09-JK

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I've seen several complaints that the performance does not hold up over time like the IR's. No first hand knowledge here, as I have all IR impacts.
 

wrenchr

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I have a 3/8 and 1/2 and have had no complaints at all with them, both have more than enough power.
 

pipsters

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I would not put any emphasis on the quietness of an impact. If you read the spec sheets, while free wheeling, yes they are quieter but while impacting (ie using the tool as it is designed) it is not much quieter.
 

IndyGarage

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I would not put any emphasis on the quietness of an impact. If you read the spec sheets, while free wheeling, yes they are quieter but while impacting (ie using the tool as it is designed) it is not much quieter.

I don't think this is correct. My IR 2132 is pretty quiet even when hammering - much quieter than the previous cheapies I've owned.
 

pipsters

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I don't think this is correct. My IR 2132 is pretty quiet even when hammering - much quieter than the previous cheapies I've owned.

Spec sheet on my 2135:

attachment.php


Very little difference when actually impacting.

I will say when not running that 2135qtimax is ridiculously quiet, pretty amazing actually.
 

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Marlin

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Spec sheet on my 2135:

attachment.php


Very little difference when actually impacting.

I will say when not running that 2135qtimax is ridiculously quiet, pretty amazing actually.

The dba scale is logrithmic, so a decrease of 3 dba is 1/2 the noise level. So going from 99.8 to 94.2 is a big difference.
 

pipsters

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The dba scale is logrithmic, so a decrease of 3 dba is 1/2 the noise level. So going from 99.8 to 94.2 is a big difference.

Maybe in theory. In practice it really isn't much of a difference.
 
OP
Z

zach kinney

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i was looking at the aircat 1100k. how are they are they powerful? i dont really care if there loud that doesnt matter to me. i just want a reliable and pawerful one.
 

pipsters

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I called Aircat. Answered on the first ring, talked to a guy named Ryan. He was really helpful. He said that the 1200k is more of a heavy hitter but the 1100k was faster.

Also, while they don't advertise parts on their web site, they do offer parts and refresh kits for sale, similar to IR.

That being said, I am still skeptical of these "high powered" impacts. I have had a bad experience with the 2135qtimax and 2135timax. I am almost to the point of buying the HF $80 1/2" Earthquake because I know it's a good gun.
 

diesel research

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We are not talking about spec-sheet performance. I am talking about real-world gun in hand. The aircat IS amazingly quieter. I will use a loud gun if it has other merits. Just saying compared to a regular 2135/232thundergun/231C the difference is quite large. All of those IR guns are good in their own rights. So is the earthquake. They do all scream.

The 1100 is a dual hammer, the 1200 is a dual clutch (nitrocat)
 

pipsters

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We are not talking about spec-sheet performance. I am talking about real-world gun in hand. The aircat IS amazingly quieter. I will use a loud gun if it has other merits. Just saying compared to a regular 2135/232thundergun/231C the difference is quite large. All of those IR guns are good in their own rights. So is the earthquake. They do all scream.

The 1100 is a dual hammer, the 1200 is a dual clutch (nitrocat)

When it's free wheeling there is a difference, IMO when they are hammering side by side (2135qtimax and 2135timax) they are virtually the same noise level. The majority of the noise at that point is the actual socket hitting the bolt.
 
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Marlin

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When it's free wheeling there is a difference, IMO when they are hammering side by side (2135qtimax and 2135timax) they are virtually the same noise level. The majority of the noise at that point is the actual socket hitting the bolt.
It is kinda tough to say they are virtually the same when they are 4 dba apart, which is a big difference.
 

johnsdeere850j

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I called Aircat. Answered on the first ring, talked to a guy named Ryan. He was really helpful. He said that the 1200k is more of a heavy hitter but the 1100k was faster.

Also, while they don't advertise parts on their web site, they do offer parts and refresh kits for sale, similar to IR.

That being said, I am still skeptical of these "high powered" impacts. I have had a bad experience with the 2135qtimax and 2135timax. I am almost to the point of buying the HF $80 1/2" Earthquake because I know it's a good gun.

i got the 2135ti max i beat the **** out of it, seems to be holding up. what all bad experiences did you have with them?
 

pipsters

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i got the 2135ti max i beat the **** out of it, seems to be holding up. what all bad experiences did you have with them?

It's in another thread running currently as well, but long story short I bought two of them from two different types of stores (online and brick & mortar) and both were extremely weak, my Lowes Kobalt special put them to shame. Extremely over hyped IMO.
 

smalltruck

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I have the MAc version of the aircat in 1/2. It hits just as hard as the SO or the IR that others in the shop have. I routinely remove the lugnuts on semi's with mine, those are torqued to 475 lb ft. Broke the hammers in it under warranty and it fixed no problem. Would I buy it again, yes with no second thoughts.
 

johnsdeere850j

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It's in another thread running currently as well, but long story short I bought two of them from two different types of stores (online and brick & mortar) and both were extremely weak, my Lowes Kobalt special put them to shame. Extremely over hyped IMO.

You must have got a couple bad eggs, mine is a tank of an impact it will flat get it. :headscrat
 

Marlin

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Interesting post history, 6 posts since 2010 all on impacts, either trashing Aircat or praising IR. Either a disgruntled Aircat employee or an IR employee.
 

Kenskip1

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For what it is worth, I have a Sears 1/2 drive impact wrench that was made by "Florida Pneumatic". It has been dropped tripped over and is still in great working order. I would make an attempt to get your fact straight before making a total *** out of yourself with such a ridiculous statement.
 
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6PTsocket

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I do not own one and read good things on performance but I gather their support is like HF; replacement warranty for a period of time and no spares or other support; a high quality throw away. That may not be a reason not to buy one. My old original HF Earthquake with a few drops of oil before each use, is still working fine.But it is a consideration.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 

Mattwrotethis

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I bought my Aircat 1000TH in 2008. Last year it finally needed service, a seal started leaking. At that point I retired it at the shop and it became my home gun (replacing a Harbor Freight gun that was often more trouble than it was worth).

I bought my Nitrocat 1250K in 2017, it's the most powerful impact in the shop of 21 technicians. Whatever the other impacts in the shop don't get done, it does, simple as that. It's the smoothest, quietest, and torquiest half-drive pnuematic impact I've tried yet, and I absolutely love the grip on it.

My Aircat 1057TH stubby has been an absolute game-changer for me when doing brake and suspension work, I've had it for almost three years now.

I gather their support is like HF; replacement warranty for a period of time and no spares or other support; a high quality throw away

You can absolutely get parts and service for them. I ordered the new seal for my 10-year-old 1000TH. You just have to get your parts through an Aircat dealer (or Amazon).
 
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6PTsocket

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I bought my Aircat 1000TH in 2008. Last year it finally needed service, a seal started leaking. At that point I retired it at the shop and it became my home gun (replacing a Harbor Freight gun that was often more trouble than it was worth).

I bought my Nitrocat 1250K in 2017, it's the most powerful impact in the shop of 21 technicians. Whatever the other impacts in the shop don't get done, it does, simple as that. It's the smoothest, quietest, and torquiest half-drive pnuematic impact I've tried yet, and I absolutely love the grip on it.

My Aircat 1057TH stubby has been an absolute game-changer for me when doing brake and suspension work, I've had it for almost three years now.



You can absolutely get parts and service for them. I ordered the new seal for my 10-year-old 1000TH. You just have to get your parts through an Aircat dealer (or Amazon).
Thanks. Happy to be wrong. Somewhere I got bad warranty info.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 

Olafur

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Old thread. :)

I second what is said above about the 1250K gun. It's a great tool. I think aircats are really decent overall.
 

Vt_k9

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I have an air cat 1250K. I bought it because one of the guys at the garage I work at part-time has several air cat guns. There is one IR gun and most have Snap-On guns. I found the Aircat to have good torque, almost as much as the Snap-On. It was much quieter and less expensive. He had his guns rebuilt, but there is a lot of moisture in their lines and now they are not running well.

I have had mine for home shop use (and occasional at the garage) for three years and it is going strong. I would buy it again if money was a factor. I am looking at their stuby one. It has good torque and fits in tight places.

With that said I find I and moderate the trigger on the Snap-On better. If the right deal were to come along I would probably change to Snap-On, but I am in no rush.

Mike
 

Dieselhammer

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I have a mac impact that is just a rebranded aircat, called an awp612q i believe, bought it used for $50 off my snap on dealer and its still going well. I'd honestly say its in the same league as my snap on MG725, but you have to be careful with it because its so quite and its a clutch system instead of hammers so it doesnt give the same feedback im used to in a traditional hammer style gun and it makes it easy to over or under tighten stuff.
 
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